Box-marker



S. J. THOMAS. BOXMARKER.

' IAPIPLICATION FILED NIYJV. 29, I920. 10

2 SHEETS-SHEE1' 1-" ATTORNEY -MNHTE@ STATES SAIVLUEL J. THOMAS, OF EAST VJENATUHEE, WASHINGTON.

BOX-MARKER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16), 1921,

Application filed. November 29, 1920. Serial No. 427,031.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL J. Trrorms, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Wenatchee, in the county of Douglas and State of Washington, have invented new and useful Improvements in Box-Markers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to marking devices, particularly those of the rubber stamp type, and has for its object the provision of an improved device for marking boxes of fruit and the like whereby the name of the shipper, the weight of the contents, the variety of the fruit, the quality thereof, and also the number may be stamped upon the outside of the box so that full information as to the contents may be obtained without opening the same.

An important object is the provision of a device of this character which is so constructed that the markers which indicate the variety and quality are detachable so that they may be replaced with ease.

An additional object is the provision of a device of this character which will be simple and inexpensive in construction, easy to use, a great labor saver, and a general improvement in the art.

"With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the details of construction to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying. drawings in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device,

Fig. 2 is an end view with the end guard plate removed,

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the opposite end,

Fig. 4: is a face view of the printing surface,

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view through the stamping member holding means, and The remaining figures are detail views.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a substantially rectangular frame which may be preferably formed from a suitable strip of metal bent into shape and fastened or which may, if preferred, be formed as a casting. This frame includes a bar 11 upon which is secured a handle 12 and further includes an extension 13 adjacent the bar 11. The bar 1d opposite the bar 11 is preferably longitudinally curved, as clearly shown, and is braced with respect to the bar 11 by a cross piece 15.

Secured upon the end of the frame which is provided with the extension 13, is a U shaped frame 16 secured to the extension and to the end and journaled within this frame 16 is flanged disk 17 about which is trained a rubber belt 18 which is also trained about the bight portion of the frame 16. This belt 18 carries a series of number stamps, indicated at 19.

Secured upon the longitudinal bar 14: are plates 20 and 21 which carry rubber stamps, one of which has a printing surface giving the name and address of the shipper and the other of which has a printing surface giving the net weight of the contents of a box or crate. Also carried by the bar 14; are detachable stamping members designated by the numerals 22 and 23 and each is formed of a channel-shaped body 2% of thin resilient metal having retaining flanges adapted to be snapped over the edges of the bar 14 so as to hold these members upon the bar. The bar 22 carries a rubber stamp 25 having a printing surface giving the variety and name of the fruit and the member 23 carrie a stamp 26 having a printing surface giving the quality of the fruit or other commodity. In actual practice a series of members 22 and 23 would be used, dependingupon the different qualities and different varieties, as will be readily apparent. The flanges on the bodies 24 prevent these members from slipping off from the bar 14: and from moving laterally thereon and in order to prevent longitudinal movement each body 24: isprovided with a projection 27 engageable within a corresponding hole 28 in the bar 14:. Each member 22 and 23 is furthermore provided with a handle 29 whereby it may be sprung onto or ofi' from the bar when desired.

In the use of the device the proper detachable members 22 and 23 are associated with the bar 14, as above described, and the disk 17 is turned to bring the desired number stamp 19 into alinement with the various printing surfaces of the stamping members on the bar 1 1. The operator then grasps the handle 12 and presses the printing surface onto or rubs it across a suitable ink pad or other device after which the device is so positioned that the printing surface will be engaged upon the box or crate 'to be marked, the device beingrocked upon its curved edge, as will be clearly apparent.

In actual practice it may be advisable to provide guard plates 80 for the disk 17 and rubber belt thereon so as to protect the same against injury and to prevent the .belt from slipping off. I

From the foregoing description. and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that I have thus provided a very simply constructed and easily operated marking device for boxes or crates which is easily changeable to apply different markings and which will be a great time and labor saver to the shipper as well as a convenience to the purchaser or inspector of the article stamped as it provides upon the outside of the crate full data as to the contents.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it

is of course to be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction, and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of-the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims. Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A stamping device comprising a frame provided with a handle, a plurality of print ing members rigidly secured upon the opposite side of the frame from the handle, and a plurality of printing members detachably connected with the frame and each including a channel-shaped body of resilient material having side flanges adapted to snap over and engage upon the edges of said side of the frame, printing members carried by each of said channel-shaped members, and a handle on each channelshaped member whereby the flanges thereof may be sprung.

2. In a device of the character described including a bar, printing members rigidly secured upon said bar, and other printing members detachably mounted upon the bar and each including a channel-shaped body of resilient material carrying a printing member and having side flanges adapted to snap over the edges of the bar, a handle on each of said channel-shaped members whereby to spring the flanges, and a pro jection on the inner side of each channel shaped member, the bar being provided with a hole for the reception of said projection.

In testimony whereof I a'liiX my signature.

SAMUEL J. THOMAS. 

